Riverview Man Arrested For Defrauding Local Credit Unions

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Richard E. Bowe (40, Riverview) with four counts of making false statements to federally insured credit unions. If convicted, Bowe faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Bowe that the United States intends to forfeit $96,184.13, which is alleged to be the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.

According to the indictment, between January and early March 2015, Bowe sought a number of loans from credit unions. In his loan applications, he falsely indicated that he was employed by the United States Army Contracting Command as a Deputy Inspector General, and that he was earning a monthly salary in excess of $14,000. Bowe also falsified information about his military service and VA benefits.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department, the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the Defense Criminal Investigation Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.